I haven't backed Kickstarter projects before this year, but I'm starting to get used to the idea. Although the first project I backed, Darkest Night, had some issues early on, it was successfully funded. I'm feeling extremely optimistic about it, too. Why? Because I just picked up a retail copy of Victory Point's previous Kickstarter project, Dawn of the Zeds (3rd ed.), and it's great!

The second game I backed on Kickstarter, Sovrano, was not successfully funded. It is, however, possible to order a copy of the game directly from Cambium Games. The father and son team behind Sovrano make all boards and components themselves, so it will take a couple of weeks for your game to arrive, but my copy is gorgeous and I'll be telling you more about it soon.

Now I've backed my third Kickstarter project, and I know this one is going to be a success: Hostage Negotiator: Crime Wave. I already own Hostage Negotiator and have written a positive review of it on this blog. The original game was a successful Kickstarter project, and I have no doubts about the quality of Crime Wave, the standalone followup. Clearly nobody else does, either, because the project is about to be 300% funded! Sometime next March, I will be negotiating my way through a new set of harrowing crime scenarios. I can't wait. If you're into solo gaming, but haven't played Hostage Negotiator​, I highly recommend that you take advantage of this Kickstarter. Not only can you get all of the new stuff, but you can pick up the original game and all of the abductor packs that have been released for it.

Hmm... maybe I need a rematch with Donna Scarborough, the teacher who loses it when she doesn't receive tenure. Might get me in the mood for a new school year! Check out the video below for a preview from my favorite YouTuber, Ricky Royal from Box of Delights.